Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to hold back his opinions, and when it comes to LeBron James’ legacy and the expectations of Lakers fans, the Hall of Famer had plenty to say. Addressing the debate over LeBron’s 2020 championship, Shaq made it clear—he believes the title holds just as much weight as any other.
“I’m not the one you should ask about that,” Shaq said when discussing LeBron’s 2020 title. “But he won a championship with the Lakers, and a lot of people try to discredit it. If that one doesn’t count, then you can’t count Mr. [Tim] Duncan’s bubble championship either. That’s right. I said it! If we’re counting Tim Duncan’s lockout-year championship, then you have to count LeBron’s too.”
Shaq’s comparison highlights an ongoing debate about how certain championships are perceived. The 1999 NBA title won by Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs came during a lockout-shortened season, drawing parallels to the scrutiny surrounding LeBron’s title in the Orlando bubble. But for Shaq, a championship is a championship.
Beyond the debate over titles, Shaq also weighed in on whether LeBron deserves a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, alongside Lakers legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant.
“LeBron broke the record, and he did it as a Laker. Would I oppose him having a statue in Los Angeles? No, I wouldn’t. If they want to give him a statue, I’d be fine with that. He’s a great player, with great ability, and he did what he was supposed to do as a Laker.”
However, Shaq also acknowledged the relentless expectations that come with wearing the purple and gold.
“But the thing about the Lakers is, their fans are real greedy. Okay, you got us this bubble championship, but when are you going to get us another? It’s always that.”
For Shaq, basketball is as much about the narrative as it is about winning.
With his signature blend of insight and humor, Shaq has once again added his voice to the ongoing conversation about LeBron James and the ever-demanding Lakers faithful. Whether LeBron can add another championship to his storied career in Los Angeles remains to be seen, but if Shaq had his way, the King would be leading his squad with a mindset of defying the odds.
